“We invited each of you here today to thank you,” said Janet Wood, Alzheimer’s Tennessee special projects/public relations coordinator, about the non-profit’s volunteers. “Thank you for your determination to raise awareness and further research for this devastating disease; thank you for giving and finding ways to help others give; thank you for leading the way.”

Wood told luncheon attendees they were “champions for a cause.” What cause? Finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Tennessee provides family support, offers community and professional education, and advocates for the needs and rights of those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

It also supports research for the prevention, cure, and treatment of Alzheimer’s. And one visible way it does so is by sponsoring annual regional fundraising walks.

All together, this area’s Five-County Alzheimer’s Walk and sponsors raised $68,431 in 2013 — $2,875 more than last year and $1,059 over goal.

Together they raised $37,626 — with the top winner UT Battelle-ORNL raising $12,521.58.

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive decline. A neurodegenerative type of dementia, the disease starts mild and gets progressively worse, according to a release.

There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses and eventually leads to death. Alzheimer’s is predicted to affect one in 85 people globally by 2050.